JERUSALEM – Fifteen Israeli Arabs – including a Muslim religious leader – accused of funneling millions of foreign dollars to Hamas were arrested early yesterday in an unprecedented sweep.
The arrests, following a two-year investigation of the controversial Islamic Movement, were denounced by Israeli Arabs, including 10 Knesset members.
But police said they had evidence that all 15 people, members of the movement’s northern branch, were involved in supporting terrorist organizations.
Internal Security Minister Tzachi Hanegbi accused the Muslim militants of “oiling the wheels of murderous terrorism” by sending money to families of radicals, including bombers, who attacked Israelis.
With Post Wire Services